Night At The Movies

The Mask (1994) (New Line)

Synopsis:

    Stanley Ipkiss is a loser, a nobody, and a nice guy.  He sacrifices his interests to please other people, but he never gets a break, until he finds a wooden mask floating in the river.  He discovers that the mask holds a power that brings out his innermost desires whenever he puts it on.  Assuming the name The Mask, his green-faced alter-ego decides to use his powers to fight evil, but only after partying down.  When an underling in the city's mafia, Dorian, gets a hold of the mask, it is up to Stanley to find the power within himself to face Dorian without the mask.

Availability:
    VHS: Pan and Scan
     DVD

Cast/Crew:
Jim Carrey                        Stanley Ipkiss/The Mask
        Ace Ventura films
        Liar Liar
        Dumb and Dumber
        The Truman Show
        In Living Color (television)
        Once Bitten

Cameron Diaz :
        There's Something About Mary
        A Life Less Ordinary
        My Best Friend's Wedding

Miscellaneous:
    The Mask is based on a comic book character who is much more violent than depicted in the film.
    Just off of Ace Ventura, this film provided a way to show Jim Carrey as a straight man (Stanley Ipkiss) while keeping his zaniness (The Mask).
    This was Cameron Diaz's first film.

MPAA Rating:
    PG-13 for some language, adult situations, cartoon violence, violence.

My Rating:
    I enjoy this movie.  I like Jim Carrey as a somewhat serious actor, and this was a great way to show what his potential is, and that he is not just a guy who can make funny faces and talk out of his butt.
***1/2
J-R                            Night at the Movies 1